MY
HEAVEN ON EARTH
To
bear my exile now, within this world of tears,
The
holy tender glance of Christ, my Lord, I need.
That
glance, surcharged with love, consoles me through the years;
His
loveliness displays foretaste of heaven indeed.
On
me my Jesus smiles, when toward Him I aspire,
The
trial of my faith then weighs no more on me.
That
love glance of my God, that smile of holy fire,
Oh,
this is heaven for me!
'Tis
heaven to have the power, great grace from Christ to win
For
Holy Mother Church, for all my Sisters dear,
For
every soul on earth that He may enter in,
Enflame
our sinful hearts, and grant us joy and cheer.
All
things my love can gain when, heart to heart, I pray,
Alone
with Jesus Christ in speechless ecstasy.
Beside
His altar blest with Him I gladly stay,
Oh,
this is heaven for me!
My
heaven within the Host safe hid and peaceful, lies,
Where
Jesus Christ abides, divinest, fairest Fair.
From
that great fount of love doth endless life arise;
There,
day and night, my Lord doth hearken to my prayer.
When,
in Thy perfect love (O moment blest and bright!)
Thou
comest, Spouse most pure, me to transform in Thee,
That
union of our hearts, that rapture of delight,
Oh,
this is heaven for me!
My
heaven it is to feel in me some likeness blest
To
Him Who made me and my soul hath reconciled;
My
heaven it is always beneath His eye to rest.
To
call Him Father dear, and be His loving child.
Safe
shielded in His arms, no storm my soul can fear;
Complete
abandonment my only law shall be.
To
sleep upon His Heart, with His blest Face so near,
Oh,
this is heaven for me!
My
heaven is God alone, the Trinity Divine,
Who
dwells within my heart, the Prisoner of my love.
There,
contemplating Thee, I tell Thee Thou art mine;
Thee
will I love and serve until we meet above.
My
heaven it is to smile on Thee whom I adore,
E'en
when, to try my faith, from me Thou hidest Thee;
Calmly
on Thee to smile, until Thou smil'st once more,
Oh,
this is heaven to me!
